Welcome to Thriving Mind, a resource to help you understand your individual signs of stress, take small steps to recharge, and unlock better mental health.
We all face challenges and stumbling blocks, but Marie Forleo — a life coach, motivational speaker, and host of “Marie TV” — uses this simple philosophy to overcome them: Everything Is Figureoutable. Aptly, that catchphrase became the title of her latest book, and it’s based on her “personal belief that every single person has innate wisdom in them to figure anything out in this world,” she tells Thrive.
Forleo, who at 23 years old left her 9-to-5 magazine publishing job to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams, has tapped into this belief many times as she built her now-global life-coaching business from the ground up. And part of “figuring things out” along the way required learning to cope with stress when it arises.
Before we can fully cope with our stress, we need to develop awareness of what our stressors are in the first place — and actionable steps that support our mental well-being. A new Thrive Global survey of over 2,000 Americans ages 18 to 85 shows just how desperately people want and need that knowledge: 91% of respondents said not knowing or ignoring their personal signs of overstress had a negative impact on their mental well-being, 72% wish they knew more small everyday steps to improve their mental health, and nearly half said when it comes to managing their stress, they don’t know where to start.
Because there is power in sharing our stories, Forleo is opening up about her own stressors, her signs of overstress, and the small, everyday steps she takes to take care of her mental well-being.
Thrive Global: What are your stressors?
Marie Forleo: Having too much on my plate, and having said yes to too many things. I’m also stressed when I don’t have healthy food stocked in the refrigerator — that’s a big one. And putting too many expectations on myself.
TG: What are the signs that you’re starting to reach your tipping point?
MF: I know that I’m starting to get stressed out when I get cranky, when I become bitchy, and when I get zits. Those are three really clear signals that mama’s not having a good day.
TG: What are the steps you take to positively work through that stress?
MF: Number one: I dance. I listen to music and dance around, whether it’s in my kitchen, my bathroom, my office or honestly, on the street. (Yes, I have been known to do that!) It really is one of my favorite recharging strategies. Dance and music are my life, it’s why I also love karaoke for de-stressing. I’m literally the worst singer in the world, but I will take that mic and I will sing my heart out every day of the week. Another step I take to recharge is going on roller coasters. I was actually out to dinner with a friend last night and she’s like, “You’re going on a book tour, do you have coaster time built into your Orlando tour stop?” I said, “No, but I’m going to go to Disneyland in California and get on some coasters.” It’s one of my favorite things to do. The last thing I do to recharge is going to seem really strange. I like going to scary movies and haunted houses. The adrenaline rush just makes me so happy and I feel like a kid again.
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